‘IF JOURNALISM IS GOOD, IT IS CONTROVERSIAL, BY ITS NATURE’ – JULIAN ASSANGE The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 37 #26 • December 7, 2022 • www.echo.net.au
Byron Council’s renewable energy projects uncertain Paul Bibby Two major renewable energy projects promised by Byron Council are now facing an uncertain future, after an unsuccessful bid for federal funding left the Council struggling to pay for both of them. The Byron Shire Bioenergy Facility and the Dingo Lane Solar Farm in Myocum have both been given development approval, following years of preparatory work undertaken at considerable cost to ratepayers. But with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) rejecting a grant application for the bioenergy facility at the final hurdle last month, Council is facing a significant funding shortfall. ‘We can probably do one of these projects but not both,’ Byron Mayor Michael Lyon told ABC radio last week. ‘What we’ll be looking at is either getting further funding, or potentially selling the [solar farm] project, so getting a private company in to proceed with it.’ The bioenergy facility and the solar farm projects are key planks in Byron Council’s plan to achieve net zero emissions in the shire by 2025. But paying for them was always going to be a challenge, given Council’s limited finances, with the bioenergy facility costing $2025m and the solar farm valued at around $12m. Council staff have previously indicated that Council would have to borrow money to pay for the solar farm, and that this would significantly increase its debt levels. ‘What’s disappointing is that we
Biz up in flames ▶ p2
were really confident after the first round of ARENA funding that the bioenergy facility would be funded by that renewable energy agency,’ Cr Lyon said. ‘In the end the board have decided not to fund it, so the Council is left having to decide between the two in terms of which we can fund.’
FOI on ARENA decision A freedom of information (GIPA) request from resident John Lazarus has revealed that the ARENA board rejected Byron Council’s funding application primarily because they were told that a private group was already developing the particular type of cutting-edge bioenergy technology that Council was planning to use. Thus, Council’s project would not ‘materially advance the commercialisation pathway’ for this technology, known as ‘dry anaerobic digestion’. This information, contained in minutes from an ARENA board meeting which were obtained under freedom of information, would seem to undermine Council’s claims that the bioenergy facility was an ‘Australian first’. It also raises questions about the level of planning undertaken in preparing the grant application and, indeed, the project as a whole. However, questions are now also being asked about the veracity of the information provided to the ARENA board that formed the basis of their decision. An extensive online search reveals no evidence of any dry anaerobic digestion technology ▶ Continued on page 4
Labor’s Ballina candidate announced ▶ p4
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The Byron Underground Film Festival, launched last Friday, promises to ‘tantalise and stimulate conversations of the not-so-talked-about’. Staged across multiple venues, the festival will include, ‘filmmaker panel discussions, street performers, stand-up comedy, and a celebration of the alternative lifestyle that made Byron Bay the Paramount of Australian anti-culture.’ The festival runs until December 11. For more info, visit www.thebuff.com.au. Pictured from left are fest crew: director, Andre Stamos, Cora Diego and Andreea Pirvu. Photo Jeff ‘So Underground He’s Emerged On The Other Side’ Dawson
Agritourism policy forced upon LGAs Hans Lovejoy The NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) has ignored Byron Shire Council’s urgent request to delay the forced adoption of the NSW government’s agritourism policy. The policy came into effect last week in all local government areas (LGAs). The NSW Minister for Planning, Anthony Roberts (Liberal) said in a press release the statewide agritourism policy allows farmers to ‘diversify their income by including
A deeper dive into Council’s wildlife corridor map ▶ p6
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agritourism experiences’ through a ‘fast-tracked, [process] or without planning approvals’. This could include, ‘farm stays, cafes, cellar doors, retreats, roadside stalls, fruit picking, or small wedding venues’.
dëŕĎ ƖƆĕ ĈşŕǖĶĈƐƆ Roberts’ press release did not include details around how potential land use conflicts would be managed, and by whom. Potential environmental impacts were also not addressed. Roberts says, ‘Landowners
Green Living Expo this weekend ▶ p22
wanting to diversify their income will be able to start an agritourism business without lodging a development application (DA), as long as conditions are met.’ Shannon Burt, Director Sustainable Environment and Economy confirmed with The Echo that the DPE ‘did not agree’ to Council’s request to be omitted from the policy. She says the delay was requested so staff could review the changes, ‘and how they will impact planning and development in the Byron Shire’. ▶ Continued on page 4
An arty party ▶ p26
Be charmed up in the Tweed ▶ p36
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